less fundamental

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less fundamental" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the importance or significance of different concepts, ideas, or elements, indicating that one is not as essential as another. Example: "While both theories are important, the second one is less fundamental to our understanding of the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

But less fundamental issues are likely to crop up sooner.

The Economist

The current challenge to the death penalty is on a much less fundamental level.

The New York Times

The more clinically focused applications tend to lead to quicker but less fundamental breakthroughs.

The Guardian

The rights of victims are more subtle, but no less fundamental for that.

The Guardian - Opinion

They look upon any less fundamental achievement as "an engineering problem," dull but necessary grunt work.

The New Yorker

But nuclear power is much less fundamental to the workings of the world than petrol or aeroplanes.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Cities and suburbs have started to seem less like fundamental opposites, and more like points on a continuum.

The New Yorker

What caused the rift between Schoenberg and Eisler was less any fundamental musical disagreement than Eisler's commitment to communism and, perhaps even more, his resolute independence.

The New York Times - Arts

In an article for the newspaper, he added: "I have been struck by the dozens of Tory MPs who would vote to quit the EU now and who will not settle for anything less than fundamental change".

The Guardian

It doesn't buy the argument that the less prescriptive fundamental standards – which include general provisions for handling complaints, nutrition and "safe care"– will have at least the same effect as the current rules.

The Guardian

A wire phantom study shows that CPI-CTHI has a 12 dB lower range side lobe level and a 7 dB higher echo signal to noise ratio than PI-CTHI, while the lateral resolution and side lobe level are 50 μm finer and −3 dB less than fundamental chirp coded excitation imaging respectively.

Ultrasonics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less fundamental" when you want to subtly downplay the importance of an element without dismissing it entirely. It's useful for nuanced comparisons.

Common error

Avoid using "less fundamental" when you actually mean "irrelevant" or "unimportant". The phrase still implies a degree of significance, just not as much as something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less fundamental" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating a lower degree of fundamentality compared to something else. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various fields like politics, science, and philosophy.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "less fundamental" is used to indicate a lower degree of essentiality or foundational importance compared to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While it's frequently found in scientific and news-related articles, it's essential to use the phrase precisely, ensuring it accurately reflects the nuanced comparison you intend to make. Alternatives like "less critical" or "less significant" can be used based on the specific context. Remember, it is a very useful phrase to present comparison between two similar entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less critical

Emphasizes the reduced importance in terms of criticality or necessity.

less crucial

Highlights the diminished importance regarding decisiveness or essentiality.

less vital

Stresses the reduced significance in terms of being indispensable or life-sustaining.

less significant

Indicates a smaller degree of importance or consequence.

less essential

Focuses on the reduced necessity or requirement.

less basic

Highlights a lower level of being foundational or elementary.

less primary

Emphasizes the decreased importance of being first in order or rank.

less foundational

Underscores a weaker role in providing a base or support for something.

less profound

Suggests a shallower or less deeply rooted impact or meaning.

less key

Highlights the diminished importance in unlocking a solution or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "less fundamental" in a sentence?

Use "less fundamental" to compare the significance of two or more concepts, indicating that one is not as essential or foundational as the others. For instance, "While both skills are useful, technical expertise is "less fundamental" than critical thinking".

What are some alternatives to "less fundamental"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "less critical", "less essential", or "less significant". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "less fundamental" or "not fundamental"?

"Less fundamental" implies a comparison, suggesting that something has some foundational quality but to a lesser degree than something else. "Not fundamental" implies a complete absence of foundational quality. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "less fundamental" and "less important"?

"Less fundamental" refers specifically to the foundational nature of something, whereas "less important" refers to its overall significance. Something can be "less important" without necessarily being "less fundamental", and vice versa. Consider what aspect of the subject you want to de-emphasize.